Canadian Press file photo

By Shaun Penner

Health

Seven more fentanyl overdose deaths in Grande Prairie in second quarter of 2020

Sep 23, 2020 | 2:53 PM

The Swan City saw an uptick in overdose deaths linked to fentanyl in the second quarter of 2020, while fatality rates from apparent accidental opioid overdoses in Alberta saw “a significant increase” since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the latest Opioid Response Surveillance Report from Alberta Health, released on Wednesday, Grande Prairie saw seven more fatalities from an apparent unintentional drug poisoning related to fentanyl between April and June of this year, bringing the total number of deaths linked to an accidental fentanyl overdose to 10 in the first half of the year in the Swan City.

The heat map indicates where opioid overdose fatalities have occured in Grande Prairie in 2020 (Photo: Alberta Health)

That sets Grande Prairie’s fatality rate from fentanyl overdoses at 26.5 per 100,000 person-years, which is below the City’s provincial-leading rate of 32.2 for all of 2019 when 24 deaths were reported. There have been no fatalities reported from other opioid overdoses in Grande Prairie in 2020.

Across Alberta between April and June 2020, 301 more Albertans died from an accidental opioid overdose, 284 of which were linked to fentanyl, bringing the provincial death toll from opioid overdoses to 449 through the first six months of 2020, a steep increase over that same time last year.

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“The past few months have led to increased fear and anxiety, isolation, disruption to in-person services, job uncertainty and more. This has exacerbated the struggles of many Albertans, including those struggling with substance use,” said Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Jason Luan.

“Alberta is not alone in this reality – British Columbia has reported similar findings and trends during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we anticipate similar findings in other jurisdictions, such as Ontario, which is in the preliminary stages of reporting.”

Among the largest municipalities in Alberta, Lethbridge had the highest rate of fatalities linked to an accidental fentanyl overdose at 42.4 per 100,000, as 21 people have died in that community in the first half of 2020. The second-highest rate is in Red Deer at 30.8 per 100,000, with Grande Prairie having the third-highest rate in Alberta.

Rate (per 100,000 person years) and number of apparent unintentional drug poisoning deaths related to fentanyl, by municipality (based on place of death). January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2020 (Courtesy: Alberta Health)

The first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic also saw the usage of supervised consumptions across Alberta drop significantly. Grande Prairie’s mobile supervised consumption site saw a 62 per cent decline in visits in the second quarter of the year, going from 3,172 visits between January and March to just 1,221 visits between April and June.

Similar decreases were also seen at all other consumption sites across the province.

“Beginning in March 2020, the number of harms associated with opioid use began to increase significantly, reaching record levels not previously seen. This sharp rise was in conjunction with a decrease in the utilization of treatment and harm reduction services,” says Alberta Health, in its report.

Minister Luan adds that it is important for anyone battling addiction to seek help, in hopes of curbing the effects of the opioid crisis.

“Every life lost to addiction is one too many. I encourage anyone impacted by substance use, whether a loved one or yourself, to reach out for support. Call the Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322 for help, information and referral to services. The helpline is a 24-7, confidential, toll-free service.

“You are not alone. Help is available.”